Goa, Oct. 11 -- The Supreme Court on Sunday directed authorities to ensure that peaceful, unarmed protesters in Delhi are not detained except in accordance with the procedure established by law. It also ordered that metro and railway services operate normally, internet connectivity remain undisturbed and the free movement of people and traffic be permitted, subject to law.

A special bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana issued the directions while hearing petitions alleging mass detentions, restrictions on movement and non-compliance with the court's earlier order on public transport ahead of Saturday's protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Around 41,000 security personnel were deployed across the national ...